Tripod shaped structural element and grid structure obtainable therewith

ABSTRACT

A structural element for the realization of three-dimensional constructions, consisting of a generally planar tripod-shaped body, with three equidistant arms whose free ends are adapted to be deviated angularly for their union with the free ends of the arms of similar tripod bodies in such a way as to form an approximately spherical grid structures.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a structural element for obtainingthree-dimensional constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to make available a structural elementhaving a particularly simple and economical configuration from theconstructional point of view, and at the same time capable of beingeffectively used for the composition of grid structures, also complexones, both in the field of three-dimensional construction games, and inthe civil and industrial field.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a structural elementable to be coupled in simple and rapid fashion with similar structuralelements to form three-dimensional grid structures with high intrinsicstrength.

These and other objects are achieved according to the invention by meansof a structural element that is essentially characterised in that itconsists of a body in the form of a generally planar tripod, with threeequidistant arms whose free ends are arranged to be angularly deviatedfrom a same side relative to the general plane of the tripod body toachieve their union with the free ends of the arms of similar tripodbodies in order to form an approximately spherical grid structure.

As shall become readily apparent, said grid structure is generated bythe union of eight of the aforesaid structural elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional characteristics shall become readily apparent from thedescription that follows with reference to the accompanying drawings,provided purely by way of non limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tripod structural element of a first typeaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a tripod structural element of a second typeaccording to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in reduced scale which shows a gridstructure formed by the union of eight tripod structural elementsaccording to the invention,

FIG. 6 is a lateral elevation view, partial and in enlarged scale,showing a detail of the union between a structural element of the firsttype (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a structural element of the second type (FIGS.3 and 4) to obtain the grid structure of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a tripod structural element of a third type according tothe invention,

FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a junction element, shown inan open configuration, usable for the mutual union of grid structuresaccording to FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of FIG. 8, showing the junction element ofFIG. 8 in a closed condition,

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showing analternative embodiment of the tripod structural element according to theinvention,

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showing afurther alternative embodiment of the tripod structural elementaccording to the invention,

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showinganother alternative embodiment of the tripod structural elementaccording to the invention,

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showingstill a further alternative embodiment of the tripod structural elementaccording to the invention,

FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showing afirst spacer element employable with the grid structure according to theinvention,

FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showing asecond spacer element employable with the grid structure according tothe invention, and

FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective and plan views, respectively, showing athird spacer element employable with the grid structure according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, 4 show the structural element according to theinvention respectively of a first and of a second type: as will be shownhereafter, they have such a conformation as to be able to be mutuallyconnected to generate grid structure that is—so to speak—elementary, inturn connectable with identical grid structures to form complexthree-dimensional constructions.

The structural element of the first type, globally designated in FIGS. 1and 2 with the reference 1, and the structural element of the secondtype designated in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the reference 2 have a generalconfiguration that is identical with the exception of the detailshighlighted farther on.

Each structural element 1,2 consists of a body in the form of agenerally planar tripod, having three angularly equidistant arms 1 a, 2a which extend from a central part 1 b, 2 b. This central part ispreferably, but—as will be shown—not necessarily hollow, and the arms 1a, 2 a can be at least partially hollow.

Each arm 1 a, 2 a has a respective free end 1 c, 2 c, opposite to thecentral part 1 b, 2 b, which is arranged to be deviated angularlyrelative to the general plane of the tripod body.

This angular deviation is made possible by the fact that the free ends 1c, 2 c of the arms 1 a, 2 a are elastically deformable, or ratherelastically foldable. This is obtained either simply thanks to theelasticity of the arms or more conveniently, as in the case ofillustrated example, thanks to the fact that each free end 1 c, 2 c isconnected to the respective arm 1 a, 2 a through a narrowed crosssection 1 d, 2 d which defines a folding line. If the structuralelements 1 and 2 are to embody a three-dimensional construction game,they will be advantageously formed by moulding of a thermoplasticmaterial: in this case, the narrowed sections 1 d, 2 d will in practiceconstitute flexible hinges.

Naturally, the structural elements 1, 2 can be produced with differentmaterials, for example elastomers or thermosetting materials and evenmetallic materials, such as light alloys, or high strength compositematerials, particularly if the structural elements 1 and 2 are destinedto build industrial or civil structures (beams, trestles, cranes,floating structures, impact-resistant panels, protective shells,signposts, ladders and mezzanine floors, load-bearing structures forindustrial and sporting buildings, roofs for greenhouses and roofs ingeneral, roof elements and composite beams, etc.).

In any case, for the reasons which shall be set out below, the angulardeviation of the free ends 1 c, 2 c of the three arms 1 a, 2 a of eachstructural element 1, 2 will be in the same direction, i.e. at the sameside relative to the general plane of the tripod body.

The free ends 1 c, 2 c of the arms 1 a, 2 a of the structural elements1, 2 are preferably, but not necessarily, provided with formations forrapid mutual coupling. This arrangement is the chosen one if thestructural elements are to constitute components for three-dimensionalconstruction games, whereas as shall be seen it is not normally providedif the structural elements are intended for the construction of civiland industrial structures.

What distinguishes the structural element 1 from the structural element2 is the conformation of said formations for rapid mutual coupling: inthe case of the structural element 1, the formations consist of pairs ofcontiguous hook-like projections 3, facing the same way relative to thegeneral plane of the tripod structural element 1. In the case of thestructural element 2 the free ends 2 c are formed with a through opening4 able to be engaged, by means of a set-in or snap-in coupling, by thehook-like projections 3. In this way, each arm la of the structuralelement 1 can be coupled with an arm 2 a of a respective structuralelement 2, and vice versa. Thanks to the capability for angulardeviation of the free ends 1 c, 2 c, which as stated in the case of theexample illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, 4 is made possible by thepresence of the flexible hinges 1 d and 2 d, four structural elements 1can be joined to four structural elements 2, mutually coupling by meansof the respective male and female formations 3, 4. This coupling isexemplified in FIG. 6, with reference to one of the arms 1 a of astructural element 1 and of the corresponding arm 2 a of a contiguousstructural element 2.

In this way, as a result of the mutual union between the eightstructural elements 1, 2, an elementary grid structure is obtained, withapproximately spherical shape, designated by the reference number 5 inFIG. 5. The grid structure thus obtained has twelve mutually equidistantnodal points, corresponding to the coupling areas between the free ends1 c and 2 c of the two groups of structural elements 1, 2.

The so-called elementary grid structure 5 can in turn be connected toidentical grid structures 5, e.g. with the aid of junction elements,whereof one is designated by the reference number 6 in FIGS. 8 and 9.This junction element 9, which can also be made of a single piece ofmoulded plastic material or similar material, consists of two parts 10,11 mutually articulated in book fashion around a flexible hinge 12 andwhereof the first one has a pair of projections with engaging teeth 13able to be engaged in set-in or snap-in fashion into correspondinghollow recesses 14 of the second part, as a result of their mutualsuperposition in the manner shown in FIG. 9.

In this way, the elementary grid structures 5 obtained as a result ofthe union of eight structural elements 1, 2 can be mutually composed forthe obtainment of complex three-dimensional constructions.

As clarified above, the conformation of the structural elements 1 and 2described with reference to the example illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,4 is provided purely by way of example: within the fundamental tripodstructure, said structural elements can have different, and possiblyalso simplified configurations, in particular if they are to be used tobuild grid structures for civil or industrial constructions, such asthose listed above. In this case, each structural element 1, 2 mayconsist simply of a tripod body of the type illustrated by the referencenumber 15 in FIG. 7, the free ends 15 c of whose arms 15 a projectingfrom the central element 15 b may be joined to the free ends of similarelements 15 with traditional mechanical systems such as welding, boltingand the like. In this case too, however, the free ends 15 c may beangularly deviated in such a way that the mutual union between the arms15 a of eight structural elements 15 will generate an approximatelyspherical grid structure similar to the structure 5 of FIG. 5, and saidgrid structures may then be mutually connected (in this case also bymeans of conventional mechanical junction systems) to obtain complexthree-dimensional grid constructions with high intrinsic strength.

Further alternative embodiments of the tripod which can be employed inthe grid structure according to the invention are depicted in FIGS. 10and 11, 12 and 13, 14 and 15, 16 and 17. These embodiments differ fromwhat has been previously disclosed, and from one another, only inconnection with a different constructive arrangement, also as far as theformations for mutual rapid coupling are concerned, in addition to thefact of being provided with a generally non planar but slightly curvedor convex configuration, with their central part having a substantiallyspherical surface. Morever in these alternative embodiments the threearms are connected to the central part having a substantially sphericalsurface through elastically deformable intermediate sections. Thisenables an easier composition of the elementary grid structures formedby the mutual connection of the tripods.

FIGS. 18 and 19, 20 and 21, 22 and 23 show different constructivearrangements of spacer members (respectively a two-way straightconfiguration, a two-way angled configuration and a four-way crossconfiguration) which can be employed to build up complex grid structuresderiving by the union of two or more elementary grid structures.

Naturally, the construction details and the embodiments may vary widelyfrom what is described and illustrated herein, without thereby departingfrom the scope of the present invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A structural element for the realization of three-dimensionalconstructions, said element comprising a generally planar tripod-shapedbody, with three equidistant arms whose free ends are adapted to bedeviated angularly at a same side relative to the general plane of thetripod body to connect with free ends of arms of similar tripod bodiesin such a way as to form an approximately spherical grid structure. 2.Structural element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said approximatelyspherical grid structure is generated by the union of eight of saidstructural elements.
 3. Structural element as claimed in claim 1,wherein said free ends of the arms are elastically deformable for saidangular deviation.
 4. Structural element as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid free ends are articulated in hinge fashion to said arms for saidannular deviation.
 5. Structural element as claimed in claim 3 whereineach of said free ends is connected to the respective arm through anarrowed section.
 6. Structural element as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid narrowed section consistes of a flexible hinge.
 7. Structuralelement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said free ends of said three armsof the tripod body have formation for mutual rapid coupling with thefree ends of the arms of similar tripod bodies.
 8. Structural element asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said mutual coupling formations are of theset-in type.
 9. Structural element as claimed in claim 7, wherein saidmutual coupling formations are of the snap-in type.
 10. Structuralelement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said mutual coupling formationsinclude male and female engagement members.
 11. Structural element asclaimed in claim 10, wherein said male engagement members include a pairof contiguous hook-like projections and said female engagement membersinclude an opening which can be engaged by said hook-like projections.12. Structural element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tripod-shapedbody has a slightly convex configuration.
 13. Structural element asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said element is made of a mouldedthermoplastic or thermosetting material, or of an elastomeric material,or of a high strength composite material, or of a metallic material. 14.Grid structure comprising eight tripod structural elements as claimed inclaim 1, the free ends of whose arms are deviated angularly and aremutually joined in such a way as to define a body of approximatelyspherical shape with twelve nodal points defined by the union of saidfree ends.
 15. Grid structure as claimed in claim 13, further comprisingmutual junction elements for the union of said grid structure withidentical grid structures to obtain complex three-dimensionalconstructions.
 16. A three-dimensional construction game comprising aplurality of structural elements for the construction of a gridstructure comprising eight tripod structural elements as claimed inclaim 1, the free ends of whose arms are deviated angularly and aremutually joined in such a way as to define a body of approximatelyspherical shape with twelve nodal points defined by the union of saidfree ends.